The exact locations where it would be possible to build offshore wind farms in Spain are already known on the map. Currently, there are numerous projects along the entire national coast, but these were awaiting approval of the legal instrument that delimits the areas available for it. At its meeting on Tuesday, the Council of Ministers approved the initial plans for the planning of Spain’s maritime zone. they limit the areas where offshore wind energy can be developed, which as a whole accounts for 5,000 square kilometers, or 0.46% of national waters.
The government has given the green light to a royal decree approving each country’s Marine Area Management Plans (POEM). five Spanish maritime borders (North Atlantic, South Atlantic, Bosphorus and Alborán, Levantino-Balearic Islands and Canary Islands), It is valid until 2027 and can be reviewed every six years.
This tool searches “assures that human activity is carried out with respect for ecosystems and the sustainable use of resources.to reduce conflicts and promote unity and synergy between activities”, the minister noted.
Ribera added that for this, the uses are activated or limited by region, taking into account the protection of protected areas, easements related to the safety of maritime transport or national defense.
South Atlantic region, the only region without offshore wind farms
at the border South Atlantic (between the Gulf of Cádiz and the meridian passing through Cape Espartel), the possibility of installing offshore wind power plants is not considered.
Inside North Atlantic (between the Bay of Biscay and the northern border of the jurisdictional waters between Spain and Portugal), this technology can be developed in areas totaling 2,688 km2.
inside Narrow and Alborán (Ceuta, Melilla, Chafarinas, Perejil, Peñones de Vélez de la Gomera and Alhucemas and Alborán Island, as well as an imaginary line through Cape Espartel and Cape Gata) will be allowed in areas of 1,222 km2.
In case of border separation Levantino-Balearic (between Cabo de Gata and Golfo de León), the surface is reduced to about 475 km2 and Canary Islands562 km2.
Ministry of Ecological Transition sources responsible for the preparation of the report stated, “If there is no solid foundation for environmental protection, it is not possible to develop a sustainable activity over time. The absolute priority is that ecosystems continue to maintain their regenerative capacity.” POETRY.
ZUP and ZAP zones
In their design, maritime planning plans “outline” areas called priority use zones (ZUP) and high potential zones (ZAP).
ZUPs are specific areas where current uses of general interest, such as the conservation of biodiversity and cultural heritage, are developed. underwater, aggregate deposits for coastal protection, R&D+i, national defense and navigational safety.
on his behalf ZAPs are designed for industry and general interest activities (including sea wind) is expected to be developed in the future. Other cases would be biodiversity conservation, aggregate deposits that could be used for coastal protection, R+D+i, port activities and aquaculture excluding wind power.
Among future uses, offshore mining is not designed because according to the same source no developments are foreseen in the coming years (at least until 2027) and in any case Spain opposes this activity until the environmental impacts are well known.
5,000 km2, “more” than planned capacity
In the case of offshore wind, the possible occupation “does not reach 5,000 million km2, i.e. 0.46% of the total”, According to the same source, he added that the five POEMs will be reviewed by 31 December 2027 at the latest.
There is “lots of room” for an offshore wind capacity target in this area According to the same source, between 1 and 3 gigawatts (Gw) was established by the National Integrated Energy and Climate Plan in 2030.
“If there is an insurmountable obstacle when it comes to defining the uses of marine areas, it has been the preservation of biodiversity values”, followed by maritime transport security and national defense.
“For certain points, we abstracted from certain interests. We organized the space regardless of the planned (business) projects”According to the same source, who insisted that it would not be possible to develop offshore wind farms outside of the separated polygons.
Those who decide to continue They will need to go through the same steps as “onshore” projects, such as obtaining a positive environmental impact statement.
Profitable or not, it’s something every backer needs to analyze, sources say, admitting it’s very difficult to know what capacity will be for wind power at the end of the period. It may “happen” that the targets set in the PNIEC will not be met.
“Companies have expectations and identify areas where they want to improve their operations. POEMs install where this is possible without harming other environmental values.. Reminding that the operation of the projects is dependent on the Minister of State for Energy, we do not know whether any project will remain in the drawer because it is not viable.
All information on the regulation approved by the Ministry: https://www.miteco.gob.es/es/costas/temas/proteccion-medio-marino/ordenacion-del-espacio-maritimo/
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Contact details of the environment department: [email protected]